Split-barrel locking mechanism for hair appliance

Abstract

A hair-straightening device has a handle, a barrel, a spoon and a thumb rest. The barrel is comprised of an upper barrel and a lower barrel. The thumb rest includes a spoon lock that enables a user to choose between using the hair device as a hair-straightening appliance or as a curling iron. When the thumb rest is in a pulled back position, the spoon lock is disengaged from the barrel connector and upper barrel. As such, as the thumb rest is depressed, the hinge pivots about its axis, causing the spoon to open with respect to the barrel. The user can then operate the device as a curling iron. When the thumb rest is in the forward position, the spoon lock engages the barrel connector, which is connected to the upper barrel end. As the user depresses the thumb rest, the barrel connector and upper barrel end pivot about the hinge. This causes the entire upper barrel to open, rather than just the spoon. The user can then operate the device as a straightening iron.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 618,461 filed on Oct. 13, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to hair appliances and, more particularly, to a locking mechanism for a hair-straightening device, especially of the type that enables a user to easily alternate between a hair straightening device and a curling iron. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is known in the art to provide a hair-straightening device having a pair of opposing arms joined by a hinge, in which the arms contain heated plates that are adapted to grip a strand of hair and straighten the hair between the plates through the use of heat and tension. There have been numerous variations manufactured with combs or brushes added adjacent to the plates and variations having steam or ionic features enhancing the heated plates. [0004] It is also known in the art to provide hai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a hair-appliance comprises a handle, a barrel, a spoon and a thumb rest. The barrel is comprised of an upper barrel and a lower barrel. The hair appliance can also include an on / off switch, a power indicator, a charging socket and a cool-tip for easier handling of the hair device.

[0009] The thumb rest includes a spoon lock that enables a user to choose between using the hair device as a hair-straightening appliance or as a curling iron. When the thumb rest is in a pulled back position, the spoon lock is disengaged from the barrel connector and upper barrel. As such, as the thumb rest is depressed, the hinge pivots about its axis, causing the spoon to open with respect to the barrel. The user can then operate the device as a curling iron.

Problems solved by technology

This increases the cost for having multiple hair appliances as well as taking up more space in an often limited area such as a bathroom or salon area.

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